By Casey Costello, Minister of Customs, Seniors
Many years ago, I was a typesetter, photographer and general hand for my father, who owned a labour of love business, Counties Sport and News, a local newspaper that was distributed through the Franklin district.
It was a fantastic little family business that made sure we were a connected community. So it is with that as my reference point that I know how important it is to have Franklin Times sharing our news and views. Many thanks for the opportunity to contribute.
As a first-term MP on the list for New Zealand First I entered politics with an external view
of Government and Parliament that many Kiwis would have.
But, beyond the media and opposition scrutiny are the people. The individual MPs and staff
who all entered this life with a hope of making a difference.
This month was a chance to see that we can sometimes reach across the political divide and find a common ground, which NZ First did in supporting the legislation to make theft of
employee wages a specified criminal offence.
Prior to entering politics, I had done quite a bit of work in the area of migrant exploitation
protection. I knew only too well some of the dire situations that exist for vulnerable workers.
New Zealand First has continued to stand for the hardworking Kiwi battlers, and this law was one that strongly aligned with our core values. Although not supported by our coalition partners, I knew it was a good piece of legislation to send a clear message that, for those very few unscrupulous employers, deliberate and intentional failure to pay staff is not just an employment dispute; it is a crime.
This was a time when party politics could be set aside.
The nature of our political system is that we will not always agree, and that is as it should be.
Different policy positions and priorities should be debated and challenged. But, sometimes,
given the opportunity to explain a position, clarify a strategy, and shine light on issues we can reach, if not agreement, an understanding.
